These are primarily non-doll-related sewing tutorials. For example: how to backstitch; how to sew snaps; etc…
Please click on the vocabulary term you’d like to learn more about. It will take you to a page that offers even more pictures (sometimes videos), a more thorough definition, and some discussion questions about that sewing term. As of 25 June 2025, this page is under construction, so please keep coming back to see what words I’ve added! Not what you’re looking for? Please … Continue reading Sewing Glossary with Pictures (Gallery)
DEFINITION: When you are sewing and you make an alteration, you’re just making a change to the shape of the sewing pattern. For example, you may lower a hemline, extend a neckline (like the image above shows), or you may add a seam allowance where no seam allowance had existed before. This is my own definition. Of course you can google this term to find … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What does alteration mean in sewing? #LearningToSew #SewingVocabulary
The image above shows what an A-line dress might look like before it is sewn, and yes, as the article title suggests, I’m building a glossary of sewing terms with pictures. Today’s “sewing vocabulary” post is all about A-line skirts and dresses, which will start off the “Letter A” section of the glossary. Please scroll down to add to the discussion on this topic. (Look … Continue reading Glossary of Sewing Terms with Pictures: What is an A-line dress or skirt? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary
DEFINITION: A casing is a tunnel-like section of a sewn object, through which one may pull a drawstring, curtain rod, or elastic. This is my own definition, but you can find the Merriam-Webster definition here as well. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please learn more about my affiliate marketing program on the Privacy Policy page. DISCUSSION QUESTION: How do you make … Continue reading How do you make a casing? #SewingChat #SewingVocabulary
It’s time to plan my next online class, and I’d like your help! If you visit the C&T Publishing online courses page, you’ll find that some of their best-selling classes range between $4.99 and $10.00, so I’ve been thinking about designing and offering an online course in that price range. To be fair, it would have to be a reasonably simple class at that price. … Continue reading What would you like me to teach for my next online class? Please join the #SewingChat !
The video at the top of this blog post will explain how I sometimes use selvage (that’s “selvedge” if you live in the UK) for my doll clothes projects, and how selvage can truly be “your friend” when buying fabric. If you want a more extensive video about how to buy fabric for doll clothes, please click here. That’s an older video tutorial … Continue reading Selvage is your friend! (A tip for fabric buying, when sewing doll clothes) @ ChellyWood.com #SewingLove #SewingTutorial
Today’s tutorial video is simple enough. It shows you how to sew snap fasteners (AKA poppers) onto a doll’s shirt or coat. And yes, I’ve made tutorials on this topic before, but in the past, you had to choose: am I sewing snaps/poppers that have a hole in the middle? Or am I sewing snaps/poppers that DON’T have a hole in the middle? Today’s … Continue reading Let’s talk about snaps/poppers! (How to Sew Snap Fasteners Tutorial Video) #Crafting #Sewing
Today I’m going to address the fifth and final question from Kim, one of my followers who is learning to sew. In my email dialog with Kim, she asked a number of questions about learning to sew, and specifically learning to design her own doll clothes. Her questions delved into whether the paid courses I offer are going to help her in her quest to … Continue reading Do you have any questions you would like Chelly Wood to answer in a future blog post? Please join the #SewingChat !
I’m back with another question from Kim, a follower who reached out to me a few weeks ago with a series of questions that beginners sometimes have when they’re learning to sew. In essence, Kim wanted to know if she could teach herself to sew, or whether or not an in-person instructor would be needed. I will address my answer to Kim’s question below the … Continue reading Can I teach myself to sew online, or do I need an in-person instructor? #Sewing #Tutorials
Last week we took a look at the skirt pockets on my Sew-Easy Advance 2896 vintage Barbie doll sewing pattern, and today I’m going to explain how I altered the neckline of the cap-sleeved shirt that is part of this View 3 pattern set. To be clear, the skirt in the image above is a separate garment from the shirt. Now quickly, let me make … Continue reading How I altered the neckline of vintage Barbie pattern Advance 2896 to fit better #SewingTips #VintageSewing
While making this lovely harvest-themed Advance 2896 View 3 skirt for a vintage Malibu Barbie, I read through the directions, and while the directions are quaint and a lot of fun to read, it may surprise you to learn that I don’t always follow them. Sometimes I know an easier way of piecing together a garment, and I believe that’s the case with my vintage … Continue reading Sew-Easy by Advance 2896 vintage “Around the Clock” sewing patterns — Let’s talk pockets! #Pockets #VintageSewing
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The image at the top of today’s blog post shows a Mattel Barbie being measured for the usual 1/8 inch wide elastic, which is what I often use for small doll clothes. However, for tomorrow’s blog post, I’ll be recommending the use of elastic cord because when making clothes for Barbie’s little sister, Chelsea, these clothing … Continue reading How to use cord elastic for very teeny-tiny little dolls’ elastic waistbands! #miniature #dollhouse
Navigating on ChellyWood.com You’ve reached the page that shows how to navigate ChellyWood.com, to find the free printable PDF sewing patterns for making doll clothes to fit the doll you’re wanting to sew for. If you want to find just baby doll clothes sewing patterns, you may find this tutorial video helpful too. If you’re looking for Barbie doll clothes patterns, this tutorial video is … Continue reading How to find free doll clothes sewing patterns online @ ChellyWood.com #Sewing #DollClothesPatterns
I recently received an interesting “fan mail” question about pinking shears from a follower named Debora. She wanted to know my thoughts on pinking shears. Debora asked, “Chelly, how do you use pinking shears, anyway? All over the Internet, you can find crafters who seem to get really excited about them and use them for everything. Especially among people who sew for dolls, because honestly, … Continue reading Are pinking shears a useful tool for beginners who are just learning how to sew doll clothes? #SewingTips #DollClothes
Today I want to explain the many uses of tulle in my blog post, but before I begin, I need to make my disclaimer statement. First, as an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Second, I belong to other affiliate marketing programs as well. Please read more about how affiliate marketing works on my Privacy Policy page. Quite some time ago, I used my … Continue reading Ah, the power of tulle! #Sewing #SewingProjects
